Metro Homes Market

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Sales begin seasonal upswing, but down from last two unusually strong Februarys

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  • Twin Cities saw 3,809 signed purchase agreements, down 10.5 percent from February 2021 but above 2019 levels
  • The number of homes for sale at month-end fell 19.0 percent from last year
  • Median Sales Price rose 8.3 percent to $340,000

(March 15, 2022) – According to new data from Minneapolis Area REALTORS® and the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®, buyer activity in the Twin Cities metro showed its first month-over-month gain since August 2021. As the Covid reshuffle continues to temper, sales are down compared to February of 2020 and 2021, but up from 2019 levels.

LISTINGS & SALES

Buyers signed 10.5 percent fewer purchase agreements than last year and closed on 15.3 percent fewer homes. Since 2020, seller activity has remained especially sluggish—the 4,427 new listings are 18.2 percent fewer than February 2020. While the seasonal uptick toward spring market has begun, it may prove challenging to match activity levels from the prior two years, as the pandemic and the prospect of rising rates shifted activity up from 2022 and 2023 into 2020 and 2021 to accommodate working and learning from home.

“Homes sold more quickly last month than they did last February, and prices rose over 8.0 percent,” said Denise Mazone, President of Minneapolis Area REALTORS®. “While we may not reach the heights of 2020 and 2021, the market remains competitive, homes are still selling rapidly often with multiple bids, and buyers and sellers need to be prepared to move quickly.” Market times have been falling for years, but today’s listings spend even less time on the market. Two years ago, half of the listings went under contract in under 40 days, but last month, half of the listings spent fewer than 19 days on the market. That’s more than a 52.0 percent drop.

HOME PRICES & INVENTORY

The median sales price in the Twin Cities rose 8.3 percent from last February to $340,000. That’s exactly half the 16.6 percent year-over-year rate of price growth seen in May 2021. Rising prices are expected to continue in a persistently undersupplied market with historically strong demand. The Twin Cities presently has about three week’s supply of inventory (0.8 months), where a balanced market would supply four to six months’ worth of homes given recent demand.

Inventory levels dipped 19.0 percent from this time last year. Compounded with a 38.2 percent fall from 2020 to 2021, the metro is facing an inventory shortage that should keep prices strong, market times fast, multiple offers fairly commonplace and some sellers getting above asking price. “Homeowners have gained significant equity, particularly over the last few years,” according to Mark Mason, President of the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®. “Having a knowledgeable advisor to navigate a fast and complex process can help buyers be more competitive and successful.”

LOCATION & PROPERTY TYPE

Market activity varies by area, price point and property type. New construction sales fell 15.5 percent compared to only a 12.2 percent dip in sales of previously owned homes. Single family sales tumbled 9.8 percent while condo sales were down an even 10.0 percent. Between Minneapolis and St. Paul, the latter took the harder hit in sales losses. Saint Paul’s sales were 24.8 percent down compared to Minneapolis’ loss of 15.1 percent. Hastings, Delano and Rush City all had more than double the sales from last year while Hugo, Little Canada and East Bloomington weren’t far behind. Sales fell by around 50.0 percent in Prior Lake, New Hope, Big Lake and Golden Valley.

February 2022 by the numbers compared to a year ago

  • Sellers listed 4,427 properties on the market, a 7.3 percent decrease from last February
  • Buyers signed 3,809 purchase agreements, down 10.5 percent (2,769 closed sales, down 15.3 percent)
  • Inventory levels fell 19.0 percent to 4,361 units
  • Month’s Supply of Inventory was down 20.0 percent to 0.8 months (4-6 months is balanced)
  • The Median Sales Price rose 8.3 percent to $340,000
  • Days on Market fell 8.7 percent to 42 days, on average (median of 19 days, down 5.0 percent from February 2021)
  • Changes in Sales activity varied by market segment
    • Condo sales fell 16.0 percent, single family sales fell 14.8 percent & townhouse sales fell 4.6 percent
    • Traditional sales were down 12.6 percent; foreclosure sales were down 44.4 percent; short sales fell 100.0 percent
    • Previously owned sales dropped 12.6 percent; new construction sales decreased by 15.9 percent

February 2022 housing charts


From The Skinny Blog.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending March 5, 2022

The U.S. median listing price rose 12.9% year-over-year to a new high of $392,000 in February, exceeding the previous peak set in July 2021, according to Realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Trends Report. Despite rising sales prices, homes are disappearing in record time, with the typical U.S. home selling more than two weeks faster last month compared to the same period last year, and more than a month faster compared to February 2017 – 2019.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING MARCH 5:

  • New Listings decreased 5.8% to 1,417
  • Pending Sales decreased 3.8% to 1,128
  • Inventory decreased 16.3% to 4,505

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

  • Median Sales Price increased 10.6% to $333,000
  • Days on Market decreased 2.4% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 99.6%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 0.8

All comparisons are to 2021

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Weekly Market Report

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For Week Ending February 19, 2022

Median rental prices have increased by double-digits for eight consecutive months, rising 19.8% year-over-year. While home prices continue to climb, according to Realtor.com’s January Rental Report, buying a starter home is more affordable than renting a similar sized apartment in more than half of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas. That’s because, nationally, rent growth is rising faster than home prices, with economists expecting rental prices to outpace listing price growth in 2022.

IN THE TWIN CITIES REGION, FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 19:

  • New Listings decreased 3.0% to 1,057
  • Pending Sales decreased 11.0% to 913
  • Inventory decreased 19.2% to 4,429

FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY:

  • Median Sales Price increased 10.6% to $333,000
  • Days on Market decreased 2.4% to 41
  • Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.1% to 99.6%
  • Months Supply of Homes For Sale decreased 20.0% to 0.8

All comparisons are to 2021

Click here for the full Weekly Market Activity Report. From MAAR Market Data News.

Mortgage Rates Decrease Slightly

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February 24, 2022
Even with this week’s decline, mortgage rates have increased more than a full percent over the last six months. Overall economic growth remains strong, but rising inflation is already impacting consumer sentiment, which has markedly declined in recent months. As we enter the spring homebuying season with higher mortgage rates and continued low inventory, we expect home price growth to remain firm before cooling off later this year.

Information provided by Freddie Mac.

January Monthly Skinny Video

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For many buyers, 2022 marks a new opportunity to make their home purchase dreams a reality. But it won’t be without its challenges.
Inventory of existing homes was at 910,000 at the start of the new year, the lowest level recorded since 1999, and competition remains fierce.

Pending Sales decreased 13.0 percent from January 2021 to 3,122 for the month. Closed Sales decreased 16.7 percent from January 2021 to 2,810 for the month. Inventory levels market-wide decreased 30.1 percent to 3,894 units.